P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andrew Shovlin has predicted porpoising to be a thing of the past but warns against new aerodynamic ‘”traps” with 2026 F1 regulations.
Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin predicts that porpoising will be eliminated with the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, but he cautions against potential new aerodynamic challenges.
The current ground effects regulations dealt with porpoising during its early years, causing safety issues and affecting team competitiveness due to ride-height compromises.
Shovlin believes the new floor geometry in the 2026 regulations will eradicate porpoising with a flatter floor design reminiscent of pre-2022 standards.
While acknowledging the elimination of porpoising, Shovlin emphasizes that new regulations will introduce different challenges and traps for teams to navigate.
The upcoming regulations will also bring significant changes to power unit regulations, transitioning away from turbo-hybrid engines towards a 50-50 split between electrical and combustion energy.
Shovlin highlights the strategic options for drivers with features like active aerodynamics, a manual override button, and a focus on energy harvesting in the new regulations.
